(Photo by Gwen Sour) During Fort Frye Local Schools’ Board of Education meeting, Music Director Tyler Hartline, center, discusses the band’s upcoming spring break trip to Disney World in Orlando, where students will have the opportunity to perform with Disney musicians. Read the full article online at MariettaTimes.com and in the Wednesday’s print edition.

BEVERLY – The Fort Frye Local Schools Board of Education met Monday evening at Beverly-Center Elementary School, recognizing student achievement, approving personnel and financial items and honoring a longtime board member.

Board members highlighted a significant anonymous donation supporting an HVAC project at Fort Frye Middle School.

Officials said the donor contributed $114,024.18 toward the project, which will fund air conditioning in the middle school cafeteria and small gym. The board also approved a $148,440 contract for the project.

The board approved multiple donations, including $10,000 combined from the Fort Frye Middle School PTO and the Board of Education for a Washington, D.C., trip, and $350 from Rivertown Heating & Air Conditioning for Science Olympiad T-shirts.

Additional contributions supported band activities, library materials, yearbook funding and musical theater programs.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) From left Debbie West, southwest regional manager for the Ohio School Boards Association,presents Fort Frye Local Board of Education member Kevin Worthington with recognition for 20 years of service.

“We are always so very thankful and very blessed … that just shows what kind of community support we have,” said board President Johnna Zalmanek.

Treasurer updates reflected a positive financial outlook related to insurance savings, with about $184,000 realized so far and projections potentially reaching $400,000.

Students and staff from the district’s music department were recognized for recent accomplishments, including the successful staging of “Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical.” Superintendent Stephanie Starcher praised both the production and the continued growth of participation across music programs.

“It’s good to see that the arts are alive and well at Fort Frye,” she said.

A student involved in the production said the show drew strong community support, with each performance filling seats.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Orrin Hunter Smitley shares his excitement for his upcoming position as a vocational agriculture teacher with the Fort Frye Local School District during Monday evening’s Board of Education meeting.

“We had a great turnout. Every single night, we filled the seats, which is pretty awesome,” Mary Kesselring said.

Participation in the program has grown significantly, she said.

“Last year we only had 32, and this year we’ve had 45, including cast, crew and tech,” Kesselring said.

Marching band also saw increased participation and success this season.

Tyler Hartline, music director for Fort Frye, shared plans for an upcoming trip to Walt Disney World, where they will participate in a workshop with Disney professionals focused on sight-reading and performance.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) The cast of Fort Frye High School’s production of “Disney’s Frozen: The Broadway Musical” performs a short selection from the show at the start of Monday evening’s board of education meeting.

“It’s a really good experience … we’ll get to work with top Disney musicians,” he said.

In addition, students announced a new initiative — student-written and directed “10-minute musicals” with an anticipated debut in May.

The board recognized member Kevin Worthington for 20 years of service, presenting him with an award from the Ohio School Boards Association.

Board members also introduced Orrin Hunter Smitley, who was recently approved as the district’s vocational agriculture teacher for the 2026-27 school year. He teaches now in St. Marys, W.Va.

Smitley emphasized hands-on learning and community involvement as key components of his teaching philosophy.

“I’m very much student-first learning,” Smitley said. “Our kids get more experience with hands-on learning … we learn career technical skills, but we learn how to be a good person.”

Officials said they are working to ensure a smooth transition as he joins the district.

Board members highlighted a significant anonymous donation supporting an HVAC project at Fort Frye Middle School.

Board approvals

Board members unanimously approved a series of administrative and financial items, including:

– Adoption of high school math and Spanish curriculum materials through a six-year contract totaling $83,957.73

– Re-employment of Renay Eddy as a teacher at Salem-Liberty Elementary for the 2026-27 school year

– Supplemental and non-certified supplemental contracts for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 school years

– Change orders totaling more than $44,000 for the Fort Frye High School track renovation project

– A $110,553.39 agreement with the Metropolitan Educational Technology Association for network infrastructure upgrades through the federal E-rate program

– Annual certification of tax levies with the Washington County Budget Commission

– Creation of a fund for a Bureau of Workers’ Compensation safety grant

– Participation in the Ohio Direct Admission program beginning with the class of 2027

– Approval of professional growth coursework for a staff member

– Joining the Tri-Valley Conference beginning with the 2027-28 school year

– A $34,450 contract for installation of new gas tanks at the district bus garage